A major contender for the post of chairmanship in the forthcoming Judiciary Staff Union (JUSUN) election in the Rivers state, Deacon George Sokari, has pledged to re-position the union for the welfare of members and also for future generations.
Deacon Sokari made the declaration while speaking on his chances of winning the election with our correspondent in his office in Port Harcourt, recently.
He said his ambition was borne out of the desire to transform the association, noting that there had been decay and alleged non-performance on the part of the current executive.
According to him, “workers in the judiciary are supposed to have a formidable voice before the management in terms of their welfare, but the present union executives lack the political muscle to do that, and I feel I’m better positioned to do that for them.”
He disclosed that the workers in the system are in dire need of vibrant union leaders, “who they could be proud of and not leaders who are always seen around, but not heard”.
“Structurally, the union needs to be on the fast lane and not on pedestrian lane as we have it presently”, he pointed out, adding “if what is on ground is anything to go by, then I’m sure of a resounding victory”.
The chairmanship candidate said, “Before I venture into the race, I had a wide range of consultations with the workers and they gave me their blessings, as somebody they have tested and trusted with the fear of God in my heart, in addition to my vast experience in unionism.”
He identified his mission to be, to galvanize and re-brand the union positively, not necessarily to confront the management, but to work harmoniously with them so as to put smiles on the faces of the workers.
The unionist lamented that staff of the judiciary in other local government areas do not feel the impact of the union, except those in Port Harcourt, adding that consultations, transparent, openness and the fear of God, are most likely to be his tools to achieve positive results and restore the lost glory of the union, if elected into office.
He promised to give account of his stewardship as stipulated by law, if voted into office and to set up advisory council, comprising of all directors, ACRs and sectional heads for effective administration while the elected co-ordinators at the out-stations would be responsible for dissemination of information and the co-ordination of the union’s activities at their levels and local government areas.
He assured his admirers to exhibit sagacity, humility and openness while dealing with the management on behalf of the workers.
Also speaking, Sokari Campaign Director, Comrade Christopher Barisi Barigbon, appealed to the judiciary workers not to make the mistake of “wasting their votes on any other candidate” but to vote for Deacon Sokari.
In a related development, Mr. Wachukwu Anthony Ogurie, who was eyeing the post of financial secretary in the forthcoming election of JUSUN has said the workers should have confidence in him and vote him into office because of his pedigree and robust antecedent which was anchored on transparency, accountability, stability of mind, equity and justice as a man of God.
On his part, the chairman of the electoral committee, Mr. Chris Worka, promised the workers of credible, free and fair election, adding that the election would be peaceful as a result of the security mechanism already put in place by his committee.
Worka stated that every genuine worker of the judiciary in the state is eligible to vote in the forthcoming election. ####
Jeff Oguike
